Machine for repairing knitted fabrics



Fel).` 16, 1932. l js, PECKER 1,845,516

`MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed June l2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 16, 1932. 1 s PECKER 1,845,516

MACHINE FOR IIREPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed June 12, 1929 5 sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 16, 1932. J. s. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed June l2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m. NQ

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J. S. PECKER A` MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Feb. 16, 1932.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 12, 1929 v :s t, @Jaak/envar or (Ittorneg Feb. 16, 1932.

J. S. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNI'IITED FABRICS Filed June 12, 19129 v 5 sheets-sheet '5 lll/lll Hill ,RRS

liatientedi` Fel);k l.

.msnen s. rmxnr., "or" rnri'AnEL'rm-rnnnsrtvama, .issIoNon 'ro ra'rmrr Dir.-

VELOIPHENTCO., A CORPORATQION OFPENNSYLVANIA l:triennalinon saremmo xmmn renales Applicaties ned rune 1a, 192e'. serial No. svois. f

The invention relates to mhines for rpairing knitted fabrics.

The object of the'presentinvention is to provide a simple, practical and comparative" 6 ly inexpensive machine, of strong and durable construction, designed for repairing runs in stockin s and ca able of operating on stockings ei er from t `e vtoe towards the hem or Jlirom the hem towards the toe. This 10 feature is material and essential, due 'toh the fact that in order to make a correct repair the reknitting of the lost stitch must conform to the original. knitting in order that the repaired hose may present the same appearance after re air as originally, and althou h this is possi le with theusual hand met od vof placing the ladder-like threads of a run over a cup, heretofore nothing has been developed to repair a stocking in either direction with a mechanically actuated needle.`

A further object of the invention is t0 nro.n vide a means for' re airing runs oi more tl an a single width. his is important in as much as runs develop two or three widths eX- tending arallell to each other,A and in the repair o such runs itfispreferableto maintain the materiai'in a taut condition and in a position unchanged' with respect to the supporting, means aiter'one run has been repaired 30 land while a: second run and av third run Aare likewise. repaired. 4 A,

A further object of the' invention is to render it possible to repair a mm of substan-A tially the follie o-'the hose orffor a length egualling that ofthe averagerun withi out having recourse'to shifting 'on'the sup` N porting means the material in .which the repair is to be made, as is necessary bythe present hand method as well as` machine method where only a small portion of the run to be' re aired can be presented at ra time to the nee le.

A further object of the invenion is to provide means forv changing the position of the mechanicallyactuated needle fromml vertical position to a slightly inclined or angular position. This becomes necessary in order to make fthe machine -adaptable to the use of various styles of needles, particularly those 5 Whichhave so-called side guards to protect` Stitches o fabric.

Another object of kthe invention is to pro-y i the latches 'and which, inorder to function properly, must be inserted in the cloth at a l sli ht angle to the vertical.

further object ofthe invention is to provide means for adjusting the stroke of the needle without recourse to the removal and changing of parts, but by a simple. method of turning a screw accessible from the extenor of the machine. The adjustment of the stroke is also essential to the use'of variousl styles of needles, as varying the length of the l terialto be repaired can be placed, having a slot at the point or"l rie-knitting adapted to permit the needle to pick u the lost stitches and atthe same time ena le rays of light from interiorly arranged illuminating means tobe projected through the slot so that the operator can readily see the ladder-like runs and may accurately operate on the same with greater speed than is possible where the the fabric to be' repaired cannot be clearly discerned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of illumination which will not be in the direct line of vision of the operator -of the machine and in which the film of an electric lamp will bev entirely out of the direct q vision of the operator and beyond the hollow form, thereby producing the double advantage of eliminating the 'glare andvpreventing -the heat of the light from heating the form which supports the material to be repaired.

Another object of the invention is to pro- A videmeans for holding the material to be repaired tautvover the hollowv form o'r mandrel both laterally and longitudinally of the same, and to enable the clampin or holding means to be shifted out of the pat of the needle without changing the position of the vide in a machine in which the needle is movable along the runto be repaired,.a collapsi blemeans for supporting theneedle and en` VAcasing andhousing the needle driving means,

porting means and at the same time be collapsible in the same manner as the outer casing or support.

Another object .of the invention is to pro- Vvide between a needle carrying plunger and the positive action of the needle driving means, a yieldable connection adapted, in case some foreign object is placed between the hollow form or mandrel and the needle, to yield and thereby prevent injury to either the needle or the obJect, and also to provide a means of voluntarily stopping the operating of the needle by the operator while the machine is in action.

Another object of the invention is to proadapgcld to fit in the narrow part of the stoc g near the toe, thus permitting the repair of a run close to the toe and at the same time providing aform or a mandrel which may be used as a means of inspecting -a stocking for runs. i

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. i

Inthe drawings:

' .Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stocking repairing machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the stocking repairing machine.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view onthe 1ine4 -4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation partly in section.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Fig/1.

' i 7 is a side elevation of a portion of the eine and hollow form or mandrel.

Fig. 8 is a detailed transverse sectional view through the rear portion of the frame illustrating the construction of the means for guiding the hollow form or mandrel in its lateral adjustment.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the hollow iorm or mandrel, the non-metallic plates or strips being partly broken away to illustrate the recess in which the plates or strips are seated.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the collapsible driving shaft for actuating the reciprocating needle.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional View 'illustrating the construction of the needle supporting and actuating means.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view of the Fig. 15 is a reverse plan view of the lower nut of the tubular section of the plunger.

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Fig. 16 is a reverse plan view of the needle holding clutch or collar.

Fig. 17 is a detail perspective View of the adjustable slide which carries the eccentric needle driving pin,

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional'view o n the line 18-18 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 19 is a detail sectional view`on thev line 19--19 of Fig. 11. g

l Fig. 20 is a detail perspective view of one of the clips for clamping a .stocking on the hollow form or mandrel.

In the accompanying drawings, in which 1s illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stocking repairing machine' comprises in its construction a main frame 1 preferably consisting of a hollow casting which is in the form o-a vertical standard ory support 5, constituting a hollow arm or casing for housingthe telescoping drivingr shaft, the collapsing or telescoping of the hollow support or arm and the driving'shaft pernuttin g-a needle 6 to be moved longitudinally 4driving shaft 4 and a collapsible telescoping of a hollow stocking supporting` form or mandrel 7 for looping the ladder-like threads of a run for repairing the same in a' manner similar to the hand operation of a needle, as is well known in the art.

The hollow form or mandrel 7 is arranged l horizontally and is securedv at its inner or rear end to the main Aframe intermediate of the ends of the upright portion thereof and is provided with a tapered outer or front end 8 adapted to be inserted in the narrow portion or toe of a stocking 9 for enabling runs to be repaired which extend to the toe portion of the stocking. The inner or rear end portion 10 of the stocking supporting form is preferably rectangular in cross sectlon, as clearly-illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, to provide parallel horizontal upper and lower faces 11,/which tit between and are guided by upper and lower horizontally guided faces 12 and 13 of the main frame. The main frame is provided at the front with an opening 14 into which the rea-r end of the form extends, and theupper 'guidingface 12 is formed by the top wall of the'opening 14, while the lower lguide is formed by a cross bar 15, preferably formed integral with the main frame and connecting and bracing th sides thereof.

The main frame 1 is also provided at the top' of the opening 14 with a rear wall 16 l which presents a front vertical face to the rear end of the hollow form and cooperates with the upper and lower faces 12 and 13 in the guiding of the form when the same is moved laterally to change it from a central position with respect to the needle to a position at either side thereof to cooperate with the lateral adjustment of the needle hereinafter explained, for the purpose of adapting the machine for different types of needles.

' The vertical abutting face of the rear wall 16 forms a stop for the hollow form, and the latter is actuated in its lateral adjustment by a transversely disposed shaft 17 provided with screw threads 18 which-engage a threaded opening 19 in a bracket 20 which is -secured to the lower face of the hollow form 7 adjacent the rear end thereof, as clearly illustrated lin Fig. 3- of the drawings. The bracket 20 ts against the lower face ofthe rear substantially rectangular portion of the hollowv form, and is fastened to the same by locking plunger 27 forming a catch and adapted to engage any one of an arcuate series of pockets or sockets 28, preferably con-v sisting of concavities arranged at suitable intervals and adapted to receive the engaging end 29 of the plunger, which is preferably rounded to tit the concavities 28. The plunger V27, which is also provided with an annular ange 30, is maintained in contact with' the adjacent portion of the frame 1 by a coiled spring 31 which .is supported within a 1 cylindrical casing 32 preferably formed integral with and carried by the arm 26. The

annular flange of the plunger fits within-the cylin'drical casingv and is located intermediate 'of the ends of the plunger,which also extends into the coiled spring 31, as clearlyy the engaged pocket and will permit the'shaftr to be rotated for sliding the hollow arm laterally in either direction to and from a .central position. The pockets 28 are formed in an enlargement 33 of the main frame, which enlargement presents a flat vertical outer surface in which arel formed the pockets 28.

fully explained, andthe adjustment of the t form will correspond with the adjustment `of the needle and will permit the needle to 'operate in the inclined position necessitated by the particular construction of certain needles employed for repairing knitted fabrics. The swinging of the operating arm forwardly or rearwardly will rotate the threaded shaft and slide the hollow arm in the guides of the frame and the locking devices carried by the operating lever will automatically retain the shaft in its adjusted position. l

The hollow form is rounded transversely at opposite sides of the upper portion at 34 and is also rounded at the bottom and the front portion is tapered preferably by curving the bottom portion upward at 35 and forming a rounded nose as shown.- The front end is rounded both horizontally and vertically, and the narrow reduced front portion of the hollow form is adapted to fit within the narrow or toe portion of a stocking to enable a run` to be repaired in such ordinarilymore org' less inaccessible portion, which is ditcult to repair by hand land practically impossible] -with machines not provided with means for supporting the narrow or toe portion of af:y .125 the hollow form at the top thereof provides;r

hose. The rounding of the side portions of bulging side portions adapted to be engagedf'gi by spring clips 37 of approximately U-shapegjf top and sides thereof and capable of maintaining the fabric taut. with the cross threads lll of a run in proper position to be operated on by the needle.

The spring clips 37, which are designed to be constructed of spring steel or other suitable material, are slidable longitudinally of the form to enable them to be adiusted 'to the proper or desired position for holding the fabric and to 4arrange them out of' the path of the needle, and any desired number of spring clips may, of course, be employed. rhe approximately tl-shaped clip 37 has straight top portion and curved sides which conform to the conliguration of the rounded laterally bulged side' portions of the hollow form. rhe terminals of the spring ciip are preferably coiled as shown to avoid presenting any sharp edges tothe stocking and at the same time permit their manipulation by the operator.

r,The hollow form is provided at its rear end at the top with spaced upwardly projecting bearing lugs 38 in which is journaled a. trans'- verse shaft 39 having iixcd to its inner end portion a clamping arm 40 located between the bearing lugs and extending forwardly therefrom over the rear portion of the hollow arm and provided at its outer or front end with a laterally extending jaw 4l provided at its lower face with a yieldable covering 42 preferably consisting of apiece of rubber or other suitable material and forming a lower fabric-engaging face for clamping the stocking 43, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The )aw of the clampingarm in gripping the stocking cooperates with nonmetallic strips 44 of rubber or Yother suitable material, seated in a recess 45 in the upper face of the hollow form and extending the entire length of the needle-receiving slot 46 at opposite sides thereof. Y

The slot 46, which extends substantially the entire length 0f the hollow form, permits the needle 6 to reciprocate through the hollow form for manipulating the cross 'threads of a broken run in the ordinary manner to repair the run. The hollow form is designed to be of suliicient length to extend approximately the full length of the leg portion of astocking to enable runs of the usual length to be repaired without necessitating the changing ofthe position of the stocking on the supporting form, but the latter may, of course, be of any desired length, as will be readily understood.' The clips 37 cooperate with the non-metallic strips 44, and while two are illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, ofthe drawings, the number may be varied, and in practice the clips will be arranged in advance and in rear of the needle when the latter is placed in working position, so that the fabric will be firmly held on the form under the desired tension t0 enable the operator to move or Y adjust the mechanically actuated needle along nsaasie the run from one cross thread to another in repairing a stocking.

The clamping arm l4G may be keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 39, which eX- tends laterally from one side of the frame of he machine and has secured to it a rearwardly extending operating arm 47. The operating arm 47, the shaft 39 and the clamping arm 40, which are rigid with one another.' constitute a clamping lever for holding the stocking near the hem, and the said operating arm, which preferably entends rearwardly beyond the upright portion of the clamping frame, is designed to be connected with a foot treadle by a rod 48 provided at its upper end with an eye 49 which is linked into an eye or opening 5G in the rear end of the operating arm 47.

A coiled spring 5l, which extends upwardly from the rear end of the operating arm 47, is linked into the eye 50 thereof and also into van eye 53 mounted on thel frame l beneath the top bearing portion thereof, but the coiled spring, which yieldably maintains the clamping lever in engagement with the stocking, may be mounted in any other desired manner, and both the spring 51 and the rod 48 provide a exible connection at 'their point of attachment to the operating arm 47 and do not interfere with the limited lateral adjustment of the hollow lform. When the 'foot treadle is depressed the clamping lever will be lifted out of engagement with the stocking on the hollow form or elevated to a position which will permit the stocking to be placed on the form or to be adjusted as required, and when the foot pedal is released the spring will operate to swing the clamping arm'A 40 downward into engagement with the fabric -or form and will yieldably maintain the clamping arm in such engagement. A spring of any desired strength may be employed, and if desired any suitable tensioning means may be provided for varying the clamping action.

in order to enable the operator to see clearly the cross threads of a run in a stocking or other fabric, so that the latter may be repaired with accuracy and speed, the machine is equipped with nteriorly arranged illuminating means preferably consisting of an electric lamp 54 mounted in a socket 55 which' 1s supported upon cross pieces 56 of the main' frame, but any other suitable form of support may, of course, be employed. The electric light socket 55 will in practice be arranged in a suitable lighting circuit and will beA controlled in the ordinary manner by a suitable switch, to enable the electric lamp to be' lighted and extinguished as required. The

electric lamp, which is located in the hollow upright or standard portion of the main frame, extends from the supporting means at the base thereof to a point in line with the top of the hollow arm and the socket is `half of the electric lamp. The auxiliary re-v tlector, which is arranged in front of the electric lamp, is preferably concavo-convex, as

shown, and. is secured to the front end of a curved supporting arm 59,l and'is interposed between the lamp 'and the'open rear end of thehollow form so' as to prevent direct raysl of light striking the eye of the operator. The auxiliary reflector 58 is interposed between the eye of the operator and the lamp, so that l the light is not in the direct line of vision of the opera-tor and the latter will not be 'affected by the glare of the light. The

auxiliary reflector is adapted to throwthe rays of light from the .front of the lamp to the main reflector at the b'ack thereof, and the latter will diffuse the'light through the hol-e low form and illuminate the latter suiliciently to'enable the threads of fabric to be clearly seen by the operator. In practice, the interior of the hollow/form will be polished, ainted, or otherwise treated to produce an interior surface having ood reflecting characteristics, and by the in irect'lightin' of the interior of the hollow form a soft d ifused .light will'be provided which will bring. out the cross threads more clearly than if a strong bright light were projected through th"e longitudinal needle-receiving slot of the hollow form. As the cross threads of a run are fairly close tgether, they will be clearly defined. As the operator must gauge the shifting of the needle and move the same a v definite distance controlled by the distance bel tween ,the'cross threads, it will be apparent that a considerable strain is placed upon' the operator in judging the spacing of the needle in timed relation with the spacing Lof. the threads, and that the provision of a light to thus clearly bring out the threads will facili-- tate the operation of looping the run 'and increase production -and at the same time lessen the mental as well as the physical strain or fatigue of the operator. l

The curved supporting member 59 extends over the top of the lamp '54 and issecured at l' its rear end to the top of the main reflector and at its front end to the auxiliary reflector, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The auxiliary relector formsl a combined reflector and shield for protecting the eyes of the opertaorand for reflecting rays of light tothe main reector. The uprightprtion or standard kof the hollow main frame is provided at opposite sides with Ventilating openings l60 located a short distance below the top of the frame and adapted to permit the escape of heat from the lamp, so that the fabric and the form will not be heated by the lamp.

The hollow telescoping extensible supporting arm 5 is composed of a plurality of sections v61 which are successively reduced from the inner or rear end to the outer or front -end of the hollow arm and are provided at` The other lug 64 is arranged at the inner or rear end of the telescoping arm and is mounted on the main frame at the bottom of the ftubular bearing portion 3 thereof and is in the form of a screw having avreduced p0r-y tion extending into the slot 62 of the adjacent section. The tubular bearing portion 3% of the frame is provided with a lining sleeve 65 'the slot of the adjacent telescoping section.

into which the rear` section of the-extensible arm telescopes. The tubular sections 61.0f

each other to vary the length of the arm for moving the needle-6 longitudinally of the hollow form without the-necessity of extend-l ing .the supporting arm in rear of the `main frame, as would bethe case were the supporting armv made in, a single piece and slldably mounted on the mainframe to permit such adjustment of the needle. The screw which forms the lug 64 pierces the lining sleeve 65 vand retains the latter in place within the tu. bular .or sleeve portion 3 at the top of the main frame.

The outer or front end of the extensible hollow arm 'carries a hollow head 66'of a substantially cylindrical form provided with a reduced portion or neck 67 which fits withinthe front end of the hollow arm, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The hollow head 66 abuts against the outer end of the extensible supporting -arm and is c secured to the same by a screw 68 which extends through a transverse slot 69 .inthe vouter section of the extensible arm. The inner threaded portion of the screw pierces the ref duced portion or neck 67 and .extends into a bearing sleeve 70 arranged within the neck and fitted against a shoulder formed by a 'l ange 71 of the terminal portionof the said neck. The transverse slot permits `a partial 112.5.-

rotary adjustment of the hollow head to enable the needle 6 to be arranged either in a vertical position or in an inclined position at either side of the vertical, and the screw A68 will clampthe hollow head in its rotary adjustment to-4 maintain the needle in proper lso the extensible arm are adapted to slide on 9.5

position 'with relation to the needle receiving slot of the hollow form.

The shaft 4, which is housed within the hollow extensible arm is composed of tubular telescoping sections 72 provided with longitudinal slots 73 arranged dianietrically opposite each other and receiving transverse lpins 74 which. are mounted on the ad jacent tubular sectionsn and also on the front end of a rear unslotted section 75 which is arranged within the tubular or sleeve portion of the frame, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The transverse pins 7 4:, which operate in the slots 73, limit the sliding movement of the tubulary sections of the extensible drive shaft and prevent separation of the sections and at the Sametime enable the shaft to adjust itself with the adjustment of the hollow extensible arm 5 without projecting through the rear portion of the main frame. The hollow arm forms a casing or housing for the extensible driving shaft, and the rear section 75 thereof is arranged within a short sleeve 76 which is provided at its front end with an annular flange 77, and which is keyed or otherwise secured at its rearend to the extensible shaft and a combined pulley and fly-wheel 78. llhe short sleeve 7 G extends through a bearing collar or ring 79 which is secured by screws or other suitable fastening devices to the main frame at the rear end of the tubular top portion 3 thereof. The bearing ring or collar 79 supports the rear end of the driving shaft, and

also has mounted on it a guard 80 which extends over the pulley portion 81 ofthe combined ily-wheel and pulley and preventsV the operator when using the fly-wheel as a hand wheel, from coming in Contact with a driving belt 82. The-pulley portion 81 of the combined hand wheel, fly wheel and pulley, is grooved to receive the belt 82 which extends downwardly to a grooved pulley 83 of a power shaft of a motor 84 suitably secured to the main frame at the base thereof, but the motor may be mounted at any is secured by screws or other suitable fastening devices to the upper portion of the bearing collar or ring 7 9, as clearly illustrated in F ig. 5 of the drawings. The guard is pro vided at its outer edge with a substantially semi-circular flange 86 which extends over and houses the upper half of the pulley por tion 8l of the combined fly-wheel and pulley.

The driving shaft is provided at its front end with a fork 87 having a shank or stem 88 which is secured within the outer end of the extensible shaft by a pin 89 or other suitable fastening device. 'lhe stem 88 extends through the bearing sleeve 70, and a spacing collar 9G is arranged onl the stem and interposed between the bearing sleeve and the outer end of the extensible shaft 4, as clearly illustrated in Fig. ll of the drawings, the spacing collar 90 being secured to the shaft by a hey or pin or any other fastening means which pierces the collar and the stein. rlhe collar is located within the annular flange 7l when the parts are assembled, and it provides a solid construction and a firm bearing or alliupm'ent at the outer end of the extensible s a t.

The fork consists of spaced arms and a- I of the shaft i to vary to adapt the machine tol vdifferent types of needles. The slidable block 93 is provided with a threaded opening 95 to receive the screw, which is mounted in suit able bearing openings of the arms of the fork. The screw is provided adjacent one end with an annular groove 96 located. within the opening of the 'adj acent arm of the fork and engaged by a pin 97 mounted on the fork at one of the arms thereof and extending across the bearing opening of the same at the' inner side thereof and operating in the annular groove of the screw. y By this construction the screw is swiveled to the fork andl is adapted to be rotated by a screw driver or other suitable tool for adjusting the slidable block 93. The other end of the screw is provided with a groove 98 to receive the blade of a screw driver, and the hollow head 66 is provided at its top with a'n opening 99 to permit the introduction of al screw driver into the hollow head so that the stroke of the needle may be of the parts of the eccentric drive. The opening 99 is normally closed by a suitable cover 100 preferably pivoted to the head of a screw lOl or other suitable fastening devices and adapted to be swung to and from a position over the opening 99. rlhe wrist pin 92 is arranged eccentrically of the slidable block 93 to .cooperate with the eccentric arrangement of the shank or stem of the fork and secure a maximum adjustment of stroke. The hollowT head (S6-is also provided with a removable face plate 102 to afford access to the interior of the hollow head, and the latter has a de- Yadjusted without removing or changing any lce pending tubular extension 103 in 'which operates ayieldable needle-carrying mechanism adapted, as hereinafter described, to permit the needle to be held stationary bythe operator without stopping the needle actuating mechanism and capable also of being stopped by an object interposed between the needle and the form without interference with the continuous operation of the needle actuating mechanism, so that the more perfect control of the machine in the operation thereof in repairing a knitted fabric may be had, and also to prevent injury to the operator or to the needle should the hand of the operator or other object be accidentally interposed between the needle and the form.

The wrist pin 92 receives the upper end of a pitman 104 secured on the wrist pin by a washer 105 and a key or pin 106, suitable bearing sleeves 107 being provided for the wrist pin and the pitman, as clearly shown in Fig'. 11 of the drawings. The lower end of -the pitman is bifurcated to receive the upper end of. a vertically' reciprocating plungerA 108 which is connected with the pitman by a transverse pin 109, forming a ivotal connectionv between the lower end of t e pitman and the plunger. The plunger 108,whichi 'spositively actuated, is yieldably connected with a tubular needle carrying-plunger 110 by means of a head 111 and upper and lower coiled springs 112 and 113 located above and below the head 111 of the positively reciprocated plunger 108. The head 111 is secured tothe positively actuated plunger 108 by a key or pin 114 and it carries a projection 115 operating within a longitudinal slotI 116 in Yone side of the yieldably reciprocated plunger 110. The projection 115 preferably consists of a. screw threaded into one side of the head 111, and the 4tubular plunger 110 operates withinva fixed sleeve 117 secured in the lower portion of the dependingr tubular extension 103 of the hollow head by a set screw 118 mounted in a threaded perforation of the extension 103 and engaging a depression or concavity 119 formed in the upper portion of the guiding sleeve 117. The tubular extensionv103A of the hollow head is counterbored at its lower portion to proend of the said tubular plunger 110. The

lower coiledy spring 113 'is interposed between the 'head 111 and a lower nut 124,which is exteriorly threaded to screw into the lower end ofthe tubulargplunger 110 and held against rotary movement ,by means of a set l-screw piercing thelower end of theltuy.

' bular memberllO and threaded into one side of the lower nut 124'.

The lower nut isprovided with la socket 126 extending downwardly from the u per end of thenut and terminating short o lthe lower face of the same and receiving a coiled spring 127 which is interposed between the bottom of the socket and a head 128 of anaxially arranged pivot 129- extendingthrougih the bottom of the lower nut and into a soc et 130. in a clutch section 131 secured tothe pivot 129 by a transverse pin 132 or other suitable fastening device. The axial pivot is arranged inan opening 133 in thebottom of the lower nut, and the contiguous faces of the lower nutand the clutchi member 131 are provided with coacting interlocking means for yieldably holding the clutch section -131 against rotation, and for permitting the clutch section 131 when the'necessary force is applied, Vto be rotated one hundredand eighty degrees for'reve'rsin'g the needle 6 so ,that the hook may extend either forwardly or rearwardly, according tothedirection in which it is desired to mend the run. The head 128 is secured to the `axially disposed `pivot 129 by a pin or key, and the cooperating m-j v terlocking means of the lo'wernut'124 constitutes a relatively fixed clutch section.

v The clutch sect1on131 preferably consists of a diametrically dis `ogsed groove 134 formed in the lower face, of t enut 124and a diametrcally disposed rib 135 formed integral withl the rotary clutch mem er 131 and extending across the upper face thereof. The groove 134 and the rib 135 are triangular in cross' section and areadapted to be readily engaged with and disengaged from eachother by rotatin the clutch section' 131, the coiled spring 12 permittin longitudinal move- Vment of the axiallydlsposed inin en aging and disengaging the sai interloc ing means. The rotary clutch section 131 is ta\ pered below the upper end and is exteriorl threaded at'136 to receiveI a clamping nut 13 for causing the lower ortion of the clutch lois member to grip the nee le 6. The lower portion'138 of the clutch member 131 is'split' at right angles as shown in Fig. 16, and is 'provided with a needle socket 139, and the nut 137 is tapered at its lower portion at v14.0 both interiorly and exteriorly to engage the lower split tapered portion of the clutch section 131. By this'construction the needle -,may be clamped to theadjustable clutch. section 131 and needles may be readily removed and changed by loosening and tightening the clamping nut v137.

The guiding sleeve 117 is provided belowr the depending lextensior'i 103 with longitudinal slots extending upwardly from the` f lower ends Aofthe.sleeve and terminating in enlargements or'ffopenings 141. The guiding sleeve is preferably split at four points at 140 and one of the slots isarranged in lalignment with the slot ,116 of the tubular member 110, so that the enlargement at the upper end of such slot 140 will afford ready access to the screw 115.

The split lower portion of the Guiding sleeve renders the guiding sleeve suiiiciently resilient to enable the operator to compress the resilient portion and exert sufficient pressure on the yieldably mounted tubular meinber 110 to stop the needlewithout stopping the positively actuated plunger 108. The split portion of the guiding sleeve is knurled, checkered, or otherwise roughened exteriorly at 142 to enable it to be positively held by the operator without danger, so that the needle may be accurately manipulated by the operator. vThe needle 6 is provided at its lower end with a hook 143- and it. has a pivoted latch 144 and is adapted to manipulate the cross threads of a run in the usual man'- ner for closing the run and repairing the stocking or other fabric. When the lower resilient portionv of the guiding sleeve is gripped by the operator and the tubular yieldably mounted section of the plunger is held, the plunger may continue reciprocating, and the upper and lower springs will be automatically compressed andv will alternately expand to move upwardly and downwardly on the tubular member 110. While the split in the sleeve is shown at an interval of ninety de ees, it will be understood that such inter-- va may be varied. The knurling of the sleeve provides a better grip by which the operator can hold and push the hollow head back and forth in re-looping the threads of the run to be repaired. As the occasion requires the operator may wish to stop the action of the needle momentarily, and by aslight pressure on the split outer guiding tube may cause the same to grip the yieldably actuated tubular member of the positively driven plunger at its vertical motion either upward or downward, and thus restrain it in its action. However, as long 'as the motive power has not stopped, the collapsible shaft will continue to rotate the eccentric head formed by-the fork and thus actuate the positively drivenplunger, but on arresting the plunger sleeve or tubular member-110 the plunger head will compress the upper and lower springs either in its upward or downward stroke. T hiswill enable the operator to hold the needle inactive as long as desired, and immediately upon release of the pressure against the resilient split portion of the guiding sleeve, the plunger sleeve will resume its reciprocation'.l Various types of needles may be employed, and the stroke of the plunger may be varied by introducing a screw driver through the opening 99 and rotating the adjusting screw to adapt the stroke to the particular type of needle employed; When the adjusting screw is rotated, the sliding block will be 'caused to move either closer to the am's of the collapsible shaft, or further away from the axis, thereby changing the distance between the wrist pin and the axis and varying the length of the stroke of the eccentric driving mechanism. Also, the position of the needle with respect to the slot of the hollow form may be varied by loosening the screw 68 and partially rotating the hollow head on the hollow eXtensible arm and the needle may be changed from a vertical position to an inclined position at either side of the vertical, to arrange the needle to reciprocate vertically through the material or to enter the fabric at an angle, and the hollow arm is adapted to be adjusted laterally to arrange the slot in proper position to cooperate with the changed position of the needle. Also, when a run is more than the width of-al single thread the hollow form may be adjusted laterally to enable the needle after repairing or re-knitting one run to operate on a second or a third run without the necessity of changing the position of the material on the hollow form.

When it is desired to change the position of the needle to arrange the hook and the latch so as to extend either forward or backward to make a repair either from the hem towards the toe or from the toe towards the hem of a stocking, the section 131 of the clutch is partially rotated, and when force is applied to rotate the said section 131 of the clutch the oppositely beveled or transversely tapered rib 135 will slide on the oppositely inclined walls, of the groove 134 and `will force the clutch section 131 downwardly, compressing the spring 127 and disengaging the rib 135 from the groove 134. Upon complef tion of the rotation of the section 131 one hundred and eighty degrees, the rib 135 will again be brought into alignment with the groove 134 and the compressed spring 127 will cause the rib 135 to snap into the groove 134. When the rib 135 is re-engaged with the groove 134 the spring will maintain the parts in such interlocked relation and there will y be no liability of the needle accidentally leavrun to feed the needle to the fabric, while the fabric remains supported on the form in a stationary position with respect to the manually fed needle.

While in the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings the machine is designed particular ly for mending the in stockings, yet it 5 be'closed by looping the cross threads of the run through loops formed in the preceding threads. v

What is claimed is:

1. A method of repairing runs in knittedl 1G fabrics which consists in spacing the threads which extend transversely of e run to' be repaired substantially uniformly from one another, automatically looping successively the lspaced threads through loops formed in the preceding threads, and manually moving the looping means along the run .to thereby feed the looping means at the will of the operator by hand to the successive cross threads of the said run.

2. A method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics consisting in supporting the fabric and holding the ladder-like'threads of a run spaced substantially uniformly from one another, reciprocating a needle through the run to manipulate the threads thereof automatically tc close the run, 'and manually moving the needle along the run to thereby feed the needle at the will of the operator by hand toL the successive threads of the run. v Y

3. A method of repairing runs in knitted i fabrics consisting in supporting a relatively large portion of the fabric on the'form, mecha-nically reciprocating a needle through a run in a ,fabric to manipulate the threads thereof to close the run, and manually moving the needle along the run to feed the needle lat the will of the operator by hand to the successive cross threads of the run Without knitted fabrics, means for forminga loop in each fabric thread which crosses the run to be repaired, means automatically to draw each successive loop through the `loop formed receding cross thread, means for firmly hol ing the fabric during the looping operations, means for manually moving/` the looping means along the run to feed the said means y hand to the successive cross threads,

' zand a relatively long support Vfor the fabric to enable the entire run t0 be repaired Without changing the' position of the fabric on the support.

jd 4 6. A lmachine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a needle, mechanical means for operating the needle to maniplate the threads of a run automatically to close the run, and movable means for carrying `the needle so thatsaid means and the needle may be moved at the will of the operator along the run to the successive threads of a run.

7. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a needle, mechanical means for actuating the needle to mani ulate the threads of a run automatically to c ose the run, means for supporting the fabric in position to be operated on by the needle, and means for carrying the needle so that said means and the needle may be moved at the will of the operator along the 'run to the successive cross threads of the run.

8. A machine for mending runs in fabrics, including a form for supporting a fabric in a stationary position, a mechanicall actuated needle for manipulating the threa s of a run automatically for closing the run, and means for carrying the needle so that said means and the needle maybe moved at the will of the Operator along the run to the successive cross threads of the run.

9. A machine for mending runs in fabrics, including a form consisting of a projecting arm varranged to receive the stocking to be repaired, means for holding the stocking on the form, a needle, mechanically operable means for actuating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run automatically to close the run, and manually movable means for carrying the needle along the run Whereby to feed the needle by handat the Will of the operator to the successive cross threads of 'the run.

10. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a form arranged to extend into a stocking for supporting the same, means. for clamping the stocking on the form, a needle,

mechanical means for actuating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run automatically to close the run, and means for supporting and carrying the needle so that said supporting and carrying means and the needle may be moved by hand at the Will of the operator along the run to the successive cross threads of the run. l y

11. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a form arranged to extend into a stocking for supporting the. same, a needle, mechanical means for actuating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run ,automeans for holding the stocking on the. orm

including a form arranged to extend into a` a f stocking for supporting the same, a needle,

mechanical means for actuating the needle to 1.20 matically to 4close the same, spaced clam ing Y manipulate the threads of a runuautomatically to close the said run, and a plurality of clips embracing the form and clamning the stocking thereon, said clips being a instable along the ferne to enable them to be arrangednleer ci' ne reedie.

e or mending runs in rabrics im e ranged. to extendinto a A i ng the saine, a needle, e

s means rer actuating the needle threads er run automat c; run, a plural is f .L e nn position to be eperated die, sain chps being adgnstable cran so as to be arranged clear of nlate the ofarnn in a fabric automatieaily to ciose the run, a form arranged to receive the fabric to be repaired for supportlng the fabric in position to be operated on b? the needle, and means. for adjusting the ferm istersiiy with respect to the needleto enable rens of dinierent'widths to berepaired without changing fabric on scorre.

le. machine for mending rains in fabrics including e needle, mechanicel ineens 'for opereting the neede to manipulate 'the threads of a run vantenaa-t-ieally to close the run, a form arranged to receive and support the fabric in positionto be operated on by' `'the needie, means for adjusting the orm laterally with respect to the needle to enable runs of different Widths to be repaired without changing the position of the fabric on the form, means for guiding the form in its lateral adjustment, and means for securing the 55 `form in its adjustment.

1T. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a needle, mechanical means for operating the needle to automaticall manip- `ulate the threads'of a run tov close e latter, a laterally adjustable form arranged to support the fabric to be repaired, means for the form in its lateral adjustment, and a. shafthaving a threaded-connection with the form'for'. moving the-same in its i man1 adjustment. Y

the position or" the 'threads of a run to close the latter, e. latermessie shait provided with threads engaging the said nut for moving the saine laterally when the shai; is rotated. l

19., machine for monding runs iabrics inclnding a needie, means' :ier-operating the needle to automatically manipulate the ally adjustable forni arranged to support the fabric to be 'repaired in position to 'ne on ated on by the needle, means for guiding :form in its lateral adjustment, carrie by the forni, a transversely disposed sha't provided with threads engaging the said nat for moving the same laterail37 when the sh. is rotated, an operating lever connected Wi the shaft, and automatically operable means connected with the operating lever 'for loci-..- ing and releasing the saine.

2i). A machine for mendnig runs in fabrics including a frame provided with spaced, transversely disposed guiding surfaces, a needle, means for operating the needle te automatically manipulate the threads of a run in a fabric to close-the run, a :term 'erranged to support the fabric in position to be operated' on by the needle, said form beingy mounted between the guiding suriaces'ior lateral adjustment, and means for moving the form laterally and for securing the form in its adjustment.

` 21.' A machine for amending runs in fabrics including a 'frame provided with a transverse guide a ormmountedin the guide, means' :ser a justing the form laterallyin .the seid guide, means for clamping e i'abric onthe form, said clamping ineens being carried by the forni in its lateral adjustment, a needle, andmeans for operating the needle to automaticall manipulate the threads ci a run in the fabric to close the run. v

22. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a needle, means for oper-v atinthe needle to automatically manipulate the t ranged to support the fabric in position to be operated on y the needle, means or adjusting the form laterally with respect to the needle to enable runs of different widths to be repaired, and a, plurality of clamping devices mounted on the forni at spaced oints lateral' adjustment.

23. A machine for mendingruns in fabrics including a frame, a needle, means for operreads of a run in the fabric to close the run, a .form mounted on the Vframe andar-- ating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, a form mounted on the frame and arranged to support the fabric in positionto be operated on by the needle, means for adjusting the form laterall. with respect to the needle to enable runs o different Widthls to be repaired, a clamping lever mounted on sure without interfering with the lateral ading justm ent of the form. v

24. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a needle, means for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, a form mountedon the frame and arranged to support the fabric in position to be operated on y the needle, meansjfor adjustthe form laterally with respect to the needle to enable runs of different Widths to be repaired, a clampinv lever mounted on the form and having ,a jaw arranged to engage the fabric, yieldable means mounted on the frame and connected with the lever for maintaining thesaid jaw in engagement With the fabric under' a predetermined pressure Without interfering With the lateral adjustment of the form, and operating means connected with the clamping lever for releasing the fabric.

25. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a needle, means for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, a form mounted on the frame and arranged to support the fabric in position to be operated on by the needle, means for adjusting the form laterall With respect to the needle to enable runs ofydiferent widths to be repaired, a transverse shaft mounted on.

and carried by the form, a clamping arm rigid with the shaft and provided with a jaw arranged to engage the fabric for securing the same on the form,an operating arm also rigid with the said shaft, aspring connected With the operating arm and With the frame for maintaining the clamping arm in engagement With the fabric, and operating means connected With the operating` arm forA releasing the fabric, said spring and operating means permitting lateral movement of the form in the adjustment thereof.

Y. 26. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a. frame, a needle, means for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to cnlose the run, a form mounted on the' framey and arranged to support the fabric in position to be operated on by the needle, meansl for adjusting the form laterally with respect to the needle to enable runs of differenty Widths to be repaired, a plurality of spaced clips embracing the form intermediate the ends thereof for securing the fabric on the form, said clips being adjustable along the form to enable them to be arranged clear of the needle, and a clamping lever mounted on the form at the rear end thereof ,and arranged to engagethe fabric.

27. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a form mounted on the frame and arranged to support the fabric t'o be repaired and provided atthe top with a non-metallic plate arranged toreceive the fabric adjacent to a run, a clamping lever mounted on the form and provided with a yieldable fabric engaging surface arranged to clamp the fabric against the said nonmetallic plate, a plurality of clamping devices arranged t`o clampthe fabric against the form at points spaced from the said lever, a. needle, and meansl for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to Aclose the run.

28. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame having an opening and provided at the top and bottom thereof with horizontal transversely disposed guiding and supporting surfaces, a form arranged to support the fabric to be repaired and having one end mounted in the opening of the frame and guided and supported by the said surfaces, a bracket secured to the form at the bottom thereof at the said opening in the frame and having a nut, a shaft mounted on the frame and having athreaded portion engaging the nut for shifting the form laterally, a needle, and means for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in) the fabric to close the run.

29. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a hollow form mounted on the frame and projecting therefrom and adapted to support a fabric in position to be repaired, said form being provided With a needle receiving slot, .a needle, means for operating the needle to automatically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, illuminating meansv arranged interiorly of the machine and adapted to project rays of light through the slot in the form upon the threads of the run, and means for shielding the operator from the direct rays of light from the illuminating means. l

' 30. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a hollow form mounted on the frame and projecting therefrom and adapted to support a fabric in position manipulate the threads of a run in thefabric to close' the run, a lamp arranged inte- Y ed on and prciecti lg from tbe and provided ivitli a longitudinal needle slotand adapted to support tbe Jfabric to be repaired, said forni being open at the inner end, a lanip l mounted Within tile raine adjacent the open end ci' tbe forni, a niain reflector located in rear of the lanip and directing rays of light towards tbe interior or" tbe form, and a con A bined reiiector and sliield located in :iront oi e the lanip adapted torproject r of light against tbe main reflector and interv posed between the lamp andthe slot to prevent tbe lamp from showing in tbe direct".

line or" vision of tbe o crater and a neee g5 tor manipulating tne threads of a run te close the saine.

3:2. A machine for inending runs in fabrics' including means for supporting a Jfabric in position tobe repaired, a needle, means for 59 operating tbe` needle to automatically noanipulate tbe threads of a fabric to close the run, and means for adjusting the needle laterally of the forni to arrange tbe needle either in a perpendicular position or in an .is inclined position.'

' 33. A machine for mendingruns in fabrics including means for supporting a fabric in position to be repaired, a needle, means for operating the needle to automatically nia- 43 nipulate the threads of a fabric to close the run, means for adjusting the needle laterally of the form to arrange the needle either 1n :a perpendicular position or in an inclined position, and means for adjusting the sup- 45 porting means laterally.

34. A machine for niending runs in fabrics including a form arranged to support tbe fabric to be repaired and provided with a needle receiving slot, a needle," means for op- 53 erating the needle to automatically manipulate the threadsof a run in the fabric toclose the run, means for adjusting tbe needleV latlerally to arrange tbe needle either in a perpendicular position ori-in Yan inclined posi- 55 tion at either side of said perpendicular position, and means for adjusting the forni laterally to shift the position of the slot when the needle is adjusted.

35. A machine for monding-runs in fabrics ce comprising' a main frame, a form carried by the main frame and arranged to support the .fabricto be repaired, a needle, means for operating theV needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the 6 5 run,'sa id means includingran extensible and asaasie Atlie threads oi' a run in tbe fabric repair tbe saine, said operating means inebi g an extensible and collapsible driving shaft, and en extensible and collapsible bollen horizontal erin housing operating sbaiit and carryine tbe neefT erating mechanism and adapted to perni ie needle to be manually moved over tbe supporting means for feeding 'iz-be needle band tothe. successive cross tbreads or a Si'. A inacliine mending runs in fabrics comprising a with means for supporting tbe fabric to be repaired, aliollow extensible and collapsible aria mounted on tbe ranie and composed of a plurality of telescoping sections, a needle, and means for operatingtbeneedle to automatically manipulate tbe tbreads of a run in tbe fabric to close tbe run, said needle operating meansbeing carried by the extensible and collapsible arm and including an extensible and collapsible elia-ft having telescoping; sections housed Within tbe bellow arm, said telescoping sections of tbe arm and the drivinge sbait permitting the needle to be manually moved over tbe support for feeding the needle by band to tbe successive threads of tbe ran in tbe fabric. Y

38. A machine ior raending rens in fabrics comprising a main frame provided with means for supporting tbe fabric to be repaired, needle, means for operating the needle to manipulate tbe tb'r-eads of a in a iabric to close tbe run, and manually operable ineans for permitting die needle to be vmoved over the support to feed tbe needle by handtotiie successive threads o tbe run, in-

cluding an extensible and .eo mounted onV and progectmg rrom the main ilapsible arm frame and baring a plurality of telescoping sections. Y

39. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprisin a main frame, means for supporting the fa ric tobe repaired, a needle, and means for operating tbeneedle to autos matically manipulate the threads of a run in the fabricto close tbe run, including an eX- tensible and collapsible 'driving shaft having a plurality of telescoping sections and adapted to permit the needle to-be manually moved over the support for feeding the needle by hand to the 'successive threads in the run. 40. A machine for repairing runs in fabrics also carried b the head and connected with and actuated y the driving shaft for reciprocating the needle and manipulating the threads in a run in the fabric to close the run, and means for supporting the fabric in position to be operated on by the needle, the

latter being manually movable over the supporting means to permit the needle to be fed' ,by hand to the successive `threads of a run 20. to close the latter.

41. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising a maln frame, a hollow expansible and collapsible arm mounted on and@ extending from theA frame and composed of a plurality of telescoping sections provided with longitudinal slots, means carried b the sections and operating inthe slots for llmit-l ing the longitudinal movement of the sections and for holding the sections against rotary movement, a hollow head mounted onl the said arm, a needle carried by the head, and means carried by the head and the arm for reciprocating the needle to manipulate the threads of a 'run in the fabric to close ,the run.

42. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising a main frame, a hollow expansible and collapsible ar'm mounted on and extending fromthe frame and composed of a plurality of telescoping sections provided with longitudinal slots, means carried by the sections and operating in the sloftsfor limiting the longitudinal movement of the sections and for holding-the sections against rotary movement, a hollow head mounted on the said arm, a needle carried by the head, and means carried by the head and the arm for reciprocating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, said needle reciprocating means including a collapsible and extensible shaft having a plurality of telescoping sections provided with longitudinal slots and having means operating in the slots to limit longitudinal sliding movement of the sections and to prevent relative rotary movement of the same.

43. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising a main frame, an arm extending from the main frame, a head mounted for rotary movement on the arm, a needle carried by the head in the rotary movement thereof whereby rthe needle is adapted to be adjusted laterally to arrange the needle either in a perpendicular position or in an inclined threads of the run -in the fabric to close the same.

44. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a main frame, a hollow arm extending from the main frame, a hollow head mounted for rotary movement on the arm and provided with an arcuate slot and having means operating in the slot for securing the head in rotary4 adjustment, a needle carried by the head in the rotary adjustment thereof and adapted to be arranged either in a perpendicular position or in an inclined position, and means for o erating the needle to automatically manipu ate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run.

45. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising a main framefa collapsible and extensible supporting arm extending from the main frame and composed of a plurality of telescopin sections and provided at its outer end wit ahead, an extensible and collapsible driving shaftv composed of a plurality of telescoping sections and housed within the supporting arm and extending through the frame to therear side thereof, means connected with the rear end of the drivin shaft for rotating the latter, a needle carried by the said head, and eccentric means locatedwithin the head and connected with and actuated by the driving shaft for reciprocating the needle for automatically mampulating the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run.

46. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising` a main frame, a collapsible and extensible supporting arm extending from the main frame and composed of a plurality of telescopingv sections and provided at its outer end with a head, an extensible and colthe run, and means for enabling rthe stroke L of the needle to be adjusted and changed from the exterior of the head without removing or changing the parts of the said leccentric means. n

47. A machine forl mending runs 1n fabrics comprising a main frame, a supporting arm, extending from the main frame and provided at its outer end with a head, a needle carried by the head, a driving shaft extending through the arm to the head, an eccentric drive .for reciprocating the needle to automatically manipulate the. threads of a run lin the fabric to close the run, and means for enabling the stroke to be `adjusted and varied eccentric d8. .i machineiior mending runs in knitted rabrics including an eccentric drive, a needle, and means for yieldably connecting the needle with the eccentric drive adapted to permit the needle to be stopped Without interrupting continuous operation ci the eccentric drive. V 4:9. A. machine for monding runs in @itted fabrics including an eccentric drive, a needle, means for vieldably connecting the needle with the. eccentric drive comprising a plunger actuated by the eccentric drive, a member slidably connected with the plunger and carrylng the needle, and cushioning means connected with the member and the plunger for yieldably holding the said member normally against relative movement and adapted to permit the member and the needle to be stopped without interfering with vthe continuous operation of the plunger.

50. A machine for monding runs in knitted fabrics including an eccentric drive, a needle, and means or yieldably connecting the needle with the eccentric drive comprising a plunger directly actuated by the eccentric drive and provided with a head, a sleeve arranged on the plunger and receiving the head and carrying the needle, and cushioning springs arranged Within the sleeve at opposite sides of the head and interposed between the sleeve and the plunger for yieldably holding the sleeve normally against relative movement.

51. A machine for mending .runs in knitted fabrics including a positive drive, a reciprocating needle, and means for yieldably connecting the reciprocating; needle with the positive drive comprising a reciprocating plunger actuated by the drive, a member slid- 'ably connected with the plunger and carrying the needle, cushioning means for holding the member against relative movement on the plunger, and manually operable means for holding the member to arrest the operation of the needle without interfering with continuous operation of the plunger and the drive.

52. A machine for monding runs in knitted fabrics including a positive drive, a rcciprocating needle, means for yieldably connecting the reciprocating needle with the positive drive comprising plunger actuated y the drive, a sleeve slidably mounted on the plunger and carried by the same, and cushioning means interposed between the sleeve and the plunger, wd a guiding sleeve slidably receiving Vthe smid sleeve and having manually operable portions adapted to engage and hold the first mentioned sleeve to arrest the needle Without interfering with continuous operation of the positive drive .and plunger.

.ii-,serrare 53. i machine for mending runs in knitted fabrics including a positive drive, a reciprocating needle, means for yieldably connecting the reciprocating needle with the positive drive comprising a plunger actuated by the drive, a sleeve slidably mounted on the vplunger and carried by the same, and'cushioning means interposed between the sleeve and the plunger, and a guiding sleeve slidably receiving the sleeve and having'a split portion adapted to be compressed by the opcrater for rictionally engaging the rst mentioned sleeve to arrest the needle Without interfering with continuous operation of the drive and plunger.

5e. A machine or monding runs in knitted fabrics including a means for supporting a fabric in position to be repaired, means for reciprocating a needle through the fabric-for manipulating the threads of a run to close the latter, said needle being movable over the support, and means for permitting the needle to be reversed to enable the repair to be started fom either end of a run.

55. A machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a drive, needle carrying means actuated by the drive for reciprocating the needle, said means comprising clutch members having coacting interlocking faces and pivotally connected to permit reversal and pivotally mounted Jfor axial movement on the other clutch member to permit reversal of the needle. i

57. A. machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including an eccentric drive, reciprocating means actuated by the drive and provided with needle carrying means comprising clutch sections having coacting interlocking faces, one of the clutch sections having needle clamping means and pivotally connected with the pther clutch sectionk for axial rotation to reverse the needle, and means for yieldably holding the coacting interlocking faces of the clutch sections in engagement With each other. a

58. machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a needle drive, a reciprocating member actuated by the drive and provided 'with needle carrying means comprising a relatively lined clutch section carried by the reciprocating member, Va relatively movable clutch section having needle n clutch sections normally in engagement with each other.

59. A. machine for repairing lruns in knitted fabrics including a needle drive, a reciprocating member actuated by the drive and provided with needle carrying means comprising a relatively fixed clutch section 'mounted on the said member, arotary clutch section having needle clamping means, one of the sections being provided with approximately V-shaped groove and the other section having a substantially V-shaped rib fitting in the groove, and means forl yielda'bly main taining the rib normally in engagement with the groove.

60. A machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a needle drive, a rcciprocating plunger actuated by `the needle drive, a sleeve slidably mounted on the plunger and having cushioningmeans interposed between thesleeve andthe plunger, said sleeve being provided with needle carrying means comprising al clutch section secured in lone end of the sleeve and provided with a socket, a rotary clutch section having needle clamping means, a longitudinal pivot secured to the rotary clutch section and extending through the fixed clutch section and having a head arranged in the lclutch thereof, and cushiony the length of the stroke of the eccentric drive,

and means for connecting the needle with the wrist pin.

62. A machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a reciprocating needle, an eccentric vdrive comprising a shaft having spaced transversely aligned lugs, a ".screw mounted in the said lugs, a slidable block engaged by the screw' and having a wrist Vpin adapted to be adjusted by the'screw` to carry the length of the stroke of the eccentric drive,

a reciprocating plunger carrying the needle, and' a pitman lpivotally connected with the plunger and mounted on the wrist pin.

' i 63. A machine for repairing runs in knitted fabrics including a hollow head, an eccentric drive arranged within the hollow head and comprising a driving shaft having spaced transversely aligned lugs, a transversely disposed adjusting screw mounted in thelugs, a slidable block operated between the lugs and engaged by the adjusting screw to vary the stroke of the eccentric drive, a pitman pivotally connected with the slidable block and adapted to actuate a needle, said hdllow head being provided with an opening arranged in the plane of the adjusting screw and adapted to permit an instrument Ato be introduced into thehead for adjusting "the screw to vary the length of the stroke. without the substitution of parts.

64. A method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics which consists in spacing the threads 'which extends transversel, .of the run to-be.4

repaired substantially uniformly from one another, a needle for automatically looping successively the spaced threads through loops' formed in the preceding threads, and vmanually moving the needleY Iwhile perpendicular or at an an le along the run and thereby feed the ncedle threads of the run.

65. In a machine, for repairing runs/in' knitted fabrics, means for forming a loop in each fabric thread which crosses the runv to be repaired, means to draw each successive lop4 through the loop formed in the preceding cross thread, means for lfirmly holding the fabric during. the looping operations, alnd means whereby to manually imove the looping' means at different times alng different runs y hand to the successive cross v and thereby feed the said /means by hand to the successive cross threads of the respective runs. v a

66. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a form for supporting a fabricin I a stationary position, needle'for manipulatand manually operabl ,collapsible means for the support of the needle 'and for carrying the needle along the run whereby to feed the ing the threads .of a r n for closing the run,

needle by hand to the successive cross threads i of the run. f

67. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including arframe, a form mounted on the frame and arranged to support-the fabric to be repaired and provided at the top with a non-metallic plate arranged to receive the fabric adjacent to a run, and clamping means mounted on the form'and provided with a yieldable fabric engaging surface'arranged to l .clamp the fabric against said non-metallic plate,..a needle, and means for operating the-4 needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run.

68. A machine for mending runs in fabrics comprising a frame provided with means for supporting the fabric to be repaired, a needle, means for operating the needle to manipulate vthe threads of a run in a fabric to close the run. and manually operable, collapsible and extensible meansv for permitting the needle to be moved over the support and thereby feed the needle by hand to the successive threads of the run.

l69. A device of the character described comprising a relatively long hollow 'form for the reception of afstocking and the support of a relatively long stretch ofthe stocking to be mended and provided with a relatively 

